Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY217739 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2008 Inspection date Asia Islam Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and their adult daughter in the London Borough of Haringey.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The area used for childminding is self contained and this consists of a kitchen, toilet and a playroom. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. There are six children under five years on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has the NNEB Diploma qualification. She works with assistants. The childminder takes children to local groups, park and library on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a premises that is warm and clean. They are encouraged to wash their hands at the appropriate times to reduce cross infections. They are offered explanations about the importance of hygiene to support their understanding. Systems for recording accidents and medications administered to children are in place. A fully stocked first aid box is available. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. However, written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment for children is not in place and this can cause delay to their treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy bananas and tangerine for their snack. Drinking water is always available within their reach. A variety of nutritional meals are provided for the children to promote their healthy eating habits and these are planned in accordance with their individual dietary requirements. The childminder agrees children's lunch arrangements with the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to the outdoor play area throughout the day. They enjoy riding and running, which effectively supports their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from the steps taken by the childminder to reduce risks in the premises, for example, a safety gate is in place to prevent children from gaining unsupervised access to the front hallway and door. There is safety surface in the garden to minimise serious injuries. Fire evacuation procedures are practised with the children to support their understanding of fire safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in an environment that is very warm and inviting. This is because the play area is extremely well decorated with child orientated posters and children's artworks. Play resources are organised to appeal to children and promote their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a very good range of resources and activities for their age and ability. These are in good condition for children's safe play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of any child protection concerns. She is also aware of the responsibilities to record the details of these events and to notify the appropriate authorities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children relish the time with the childminder and the assistant. They have developed good relationships with each other and their carers. Children approach them with confidence for support. Adults show good interest in what children do and say, for example, young children are encouraged to talk about numbers, colours and shapes as they play. A wide range of stimulating and interesting resources are available for their imaginative and creative play. These are attractively arranged to promote their independence and choice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas through a variety of activities, including play dough and collage making. For example, adults help the young children to make Valentine cards for their parents. A range of early learning toys is arranged on the carpet to help babies move and explore freely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's activities are planned with reference to the Birth to three matters framework and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum to support their all round development and learning. Currently children are learning about healthy food, which has included planting parsley to extend their understanding of the food cycle. Adults also talk about the benefits of drinking milk and eating fruits during snack time to help children make meaningful connections. For example, they tell the children that drinking milk helps to make their bones big and strong.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing in the garden. They have access to a wide range of outdoor play resources that includes climbing equipment, bikes and ball games, which are alternated over the week. These activities ensure that their physical skills are effectively challenged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a very good range of resources that reflects positive images of culture, gender and disability. Celebrations of different festivals and the use of a variety of musical instruments with the children helps to further extend their awareness of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated with equal concern as they are encouraged to make choices. They have equal access to the available resources. They are confident and relaxed in the care of the childminder, who is gentle and caring towards them. The childminder has in depth knowledge of working with children with learning difficulties and disabilities to ensure children's developmental needs are effectively promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well-behaved and they play well together most of the time. The childminder and the assistant gently remind children not to push each other because it can hurt, this effectively helps to encourage their good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong working relationships developed with their parents by the childminder, this helps to maintain consistency. Written policies and procedures of the setting are shared with the parents to ensure they are well-informed of the childminder's business. These are also displayed for their information at all times and include the complaints procedure, although there is no recording system developed for this purpose.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder has continued to increase her knowledge of the childcare practice through regular attendance on courses such as the Birth to three matters framework and the Early Years Foundation Stage. This means she has gained considerable knowledge of how to plan resources and activities to benefit children's development and learning. The childminder has ensured that the assistant and all household members have undergone the necessary vetting procedures for suitability. The childminder demonstrates that she has a secure understanding of most areas of the National Standards for childminding.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are happy and relaxed in her care because she provides clear routines to promote their individual needs. The play room is extremely well organised for children's comfort, stimulation and interests. An excellent range of resources and activities are available to offer children a wide choice and encourage their independence. Although a recording system for complaints is not developed, there are good working relationships with the children's parents; the childminder provides them with the written policies and procedures of the setting, displays children's activity plans for their view and regularly exchanges information about the children, including written progress records. Most of the required records are in place but written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment is lacking.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment for children • develop a recording system for use in the event of complaints

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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